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From the EditorHello and welcome to the first edition of GymCoach Quarterly (GCQ). GCQ is the officialpublication of the Professional GymnasticsCoaches’ Association of Canada. I think thatyou’ll find the contents of this journal bothinsightful and helpful. I want to thank all of thecontributors for their valuable, quality work. Theaim of this journal is to open an avenue ofdialogue between gymnastics coaches from acrossthe country. In doing so, we enable ourselves togrow stronger as a group.It is all too often that coaches understate their role and influence, and, in doing so,marginalise their position in society. Contrarily, especially with the currently disturbingtrends in health care, our role as physical educators should be taking on an increasedimportance. As the physical educators of today, we instil our youth with the importanthabits of lifelong physical activity and appropriate nutrition. Our athletes, through theirpassion and enthusiasm, go on to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, or evensimply to improve their own physical condition. In essence, we are in the business ofbuilding role models for our communities.In 2003, Canada spent an estimated $121 billion- roughly $4000/person or 10% of ourGDP- on health care. That costs is increasing. (Canadian Institute for Health Information,2004). A sizeable chunk of that money was dedicated to problems associated withobesity. “Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, strokes, cancer, kidney failure, asthma,arthritis, blindness, mental health problems, and falls.” (Canadian Institute for HealthInformation, 2003). As coaches, we are the front line of preventative medicine in thefight against obesity. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound ofcure. An investment in sport today would go a sizeable way to reducing health carerelated costs tomorrow. In fact, the benefits of an increased investment in sport would faroutstrip the heavy costs of maintaining the status quo. That is the message that we need toget out to the policy makers from across our country. You can do your part by writing aletter to your local Member of Parliament, your MLA, the Prime Minister, or simply goand visit your local politician (at the very least they always appear happy to be hearingfrom one of their constituents).So, keeping in mind your important social role, I hope you enjoy this first issue of GCQ.If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please let us know. You can get in touchwith us via our website at www.progymcoach.ca. Also, please consider submitting anarticle for publication; it is through your knowledge and contribution that this journal willbecome a success.David SykesGym Coach Quarterly Page 3 November 2004